NARCOLEPSY- Ciara & Mary

Defined as: a sleep disorder that causes excessive sleepiness and frequent daytime sleep attacks.
Category of disorder: Nervous System Disorder

CAUSES:

• reduced hypocretin in the brain
• body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue
• run's in families
  • certain genes are linked to narcolepsy

SYMPTOMS:

• periods of extreme immobility and sleepiness throughout the day
• sleep attacks
  • short nap that lasts for about 15 minutes
• happen after eating, while driving, talking to someone, or other situations during the day
• experience dream-like hallucinations between sleep and being awake
• sleep paralysis
  • can't move as they start falling asleep or when they first wake up

TREATMENT:
There is not a cure; however, the drugs and treatments prescribed are used in order to control symptoms.

• doctors prescribe lifestyle changes in order to control sleepiness and sleep attacks
  • eating vegetarian or light meals during the day.
    • avoid heavier meals before important activities
• plan brief naps after meals and during the day to avoid unplanned sleep attacks.
• some people may be prescribed medication to help you stay awake during the day
  • stimulants such as: armodafinil, dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate (Ritalin)

PUBLIC VIEWS:

• people think that it isn't a real "disease" that it is just an excuse for people who are tired and want to sleep

WORKS CITED:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001805/

http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/guide/narcolepsy

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/narcolepsy/detail_narcolepsy.htm